Method for producing bilayer membrane and planar bilayer membrane

Abstract

The present invention provides a bilayer membrane produced using a microchannel capable of easily forming bilayer membranes such as planar lipid bilayer membranes in large quantities, and a production method thereof. A process for producing a bilayer membrane of the present invention comprises forming a state where two liquid phases or liquid and gaseous phases each containing amphipathic molecules are alternately arranged in a microchannel, discharging one of the two liquid phases or the gaseous phase of the liquid and gaseous phases through branch minichannels formed in the wall on one side or in the walls on both sides to contact the remaining liquid phases adjacent to each other, and thereby forming a side-by-side arrangement of bilayer membranes comprising the amphipathic molecules.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for producing planar bilayer membranes, comprising:
 forming a state where two liquid phases or liquid and gaseous phases each containing amphipathic molecules are alternately arranged as an array in a microchannel, 
 discharging one of the two liquid phases or the gaseous phase of the liquid and gaseous phases from the microchannel through branch minichannels formed in the wall on one side or in the walls on both sides of the microchannel, so as to contact the remaining liquid phases adjacent to each other, and 
 forming a side-by-side arrangement of planar bilayer membranes comprising the amphipathic molecules, wherein the planar bilayer membranes are independent from each other. 
 
     
     
       2. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 alternately introducing the two liquid phases or liquid and gaseous phases each containing amphipathic molecules using a branch structure of the microchannel to form the state where the two liquid phases or liquid and gaseous phases each containing amphipathic molecules are alternately arranged. 
 
     
     
       3. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 2 , wherein the branch structure of a microchannel is selected from a cross-shaped intersection, a T-shaped intersection, and a Y-shaped intersection. 
     
     
       4. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 1 , wherein the two liquid phases are an organic phase and a water phase. 
     
     
       5. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 1 , wherein the amphipathic molecules are a lipid, surfactant, or polymer. 
     
     
       6. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 4 , wherein the amphipathic molecules are introduced in admixture with the organic phase. 
     
     
       7. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 1 , wherein the amphipathic molecules are adsorbed on an interface of the organic phase and the water phase to form a monolayer membrane. 
     
     
       8. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 4 , comprising discharging the organic phase through branch minichannels formed in the wall on one side or in the walls on both sides of the microchannel, thereby bringing the adjacent water phases in contact with each other. 
     
     
       9. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 4 , comprising discharging the water phase through branch minichannels formed in the wall on one side or in the walls on both sides of the microchannel, thereby bringing the adjacent organic phases in contact with each other. 
     
     
       10. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 1 , wherein the discharge through branch minichannels is performed by capillary action through the branch minichannels and/or suction. 
     
     
       11. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 1 , wherein two or more bilayer membranes have the side-by-side arrangement at a constant interval. 
     
     
       12. A process for producing bilayer membranes according to  claim 1 , wherein the bilayer membranes are sandwiched with liquid phases having components different from each other. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus comprising a microchannel, and two or more planar bilayer membranes which are arranged as an array in said microchannel and contain amphipathic molecules, wherein each of the bilayer membranes contacts an organic phase or a water phase at both sides of the membrane, and wherein each of the bilayer membranes is sandwiched by mutually independent organic phases or water phases. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the bilayer membranes is sandwiched by liquid phases having components different from each other. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the amphipathic molecules are a phosphatide. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein a biological molecule is immobilized in the phosphatide. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the biological molecule is a membrane protein. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the membrane protein is selected from one or more of ion channel proteins, transporters, ion pump proteins, and receptors. 
     
     
       19. A device comprising the apparatus according to  claim 15 . 
     
     
       20. A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the device is adapted for a function analysis of membrane proteins. 
     
     
       21. A device according to  claim 19 , wherein the device is a sensor device.